After a difficult battle with brain cancer, Charles Dominic Abbate, 48, of Mount Dora, Florida, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 19, 2016. Charlie's final months, weeks and days were spent surrounded and supported by friends and family. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Cheryl, and his five children, Anastasia, Christian, Lauren, Daniel and Mary.

Charlie was born in Rockville Center, NY to Charles and Karen Abbate. Charlie's mom preceeded him in death when she passed away in December after a long battle of her own. Charlie also has a sister, Karenanne Abbate Payton, and a brother, Nick Abbate.

Charlie was a lifelong baseball fan with a particular love for the New York Yankees. He attended Stockton State College, where he received a BA in Performing Arts, and met and married his wife, Cheryl. He went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Northern Illinois University, as well as a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary. In addition to his pursuit of acting, which took him to New York and Los Angeles and landed him a recurring role in the soap opera "Port Charles", Charlie spent a year as the pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Ambler, PA, and 15 years as an independent sales rep for Kitchen Craft International--head quartered here in Mount Dora.

In addition to baseball, Charlie's loves and interests included music, surfing and snorkeling, cooking and craft beer. His two greatest loves were for his Lord and Savior, and for his family.

Visitation is Monday 1/25 6:00-8:00pm @ Allen J Harden Funeral Home
1800 North Donnelly St, Mount Dora, FL 32757 (Followed by Fellowship at Mermaid Juice (458 N Highland St., Mt. Dora)

Funeral Service is Tuesday 1/26 11:00am @ Pine Forrest Cemetery (1699 North Donnelly St, Mount Dora, FL 32757)

Celebration of Life Service is Tuesday 1/26 4:00-6:00ish, at Mount Dora Christian Academy auditorium (301 W 13th Ave, Mount Dora, FL 32757)
*Charlie was an enormous baseball fan, and also the assistant coach of the MDCA JV baseball team last year. In lieu of flowers, Charlie Abbate asked for donations to the MDCA baseball program. Please make checks payable to MDCA--and write "Charlie Abbate" or "Baseball" on the memo line. Mail checks to MDCA 301 W. 13th Ave, Mount Dora, FL 32757.